Finger Foods for Football Fans

As the national scrimmage get underway on Sunday in Miami between the Chiefs and the 49ers, the big question on everyone’s mind will be: “What’s to eat?” If you’re a game host/hostess, here are three pointers and some food suggestions to help you enjoy both the game and your guests.

1. Keep it simple.  Stick with finger foods placed within reach of your Super Bowl guests.

2. Keep it easy. . . on yourself, that is.  Serve foods you can make ahead.

3. Keep it comin’.  Don’t put out everything at once.

Also keep in mind those guests, who have yet to abandon their New Year’s diet. You might want to kick off the game with a super bowl of Popcorn—a good nibble food for weight watchers as well as for anxious fans. 

Skinny Pop Popcorn

Skinny Pop Popcorn is tender and tasty (I’ve never found a hard kernel of corn in a bag!). What’s more, it boasts only 39 calories a cup and is all natural, cholesterol free, non-gluten, and non-GMO.

In the photo, my granddaughters watch TV over a bowl of popcorn, as the family pooch waits for any bits that might hit the floor.

Pigs in a Blanket

Game noshing foods shouldn’t be fussy or flimsy. For such occasions, Martha Stewart suggests a meaty, two-ingredient recipe, Pigs in a Blanket—those little wieners that you swaddle in a flaky crust and serve with a tangy dip. Or, even easier, try a few flamboyant mustards on the side.   

Cranberry Pistachio Baked Brie

Cranberry Pistachio Baked Brie appetizer from Gimme Some Oven has just 6 ingredients, including brie, pistachios, cranberries and orange zest. When it comes to showmanship, this little beauty will complete with the half-time performance.

Cookie Dough Footballs

These little “pigskins” are made with edible cookie dough (applesauce has been subbed for the egg), chocolate dipped, and decorated to look like a football.

Cranberry Meatballs

In deference to the sport, something ball shaped is appropriate. These Cranberry Meatballs are incredibly delicious and easy, especially if you use the pre-made ones from Costco and plop them in a sauce. 

Ham and Cheese Sliders

These warm, tasty sliders are sometimes called “Funeral Sandwiches” in the South, where they often show up to comfort the bereaved. You might want to keep a few around in case your team fumbles the ball too often.

Chicken Wing Dings

And then there’s the old standard: Chicken Wings. The bond between pigskin tossing and chicken wing nibbling is well established. It started when bars, serving the cheaper poultry pieces during ball games, noticed the salty, tangy wings caused beer sales to soar. A tradition was born. 

The National Chicken Council noted that during the Super Bowl fans will gnaw on 2.5 billion chicken wings, most of them dipped in Ranch dressing or barbecue sauce.

Frito’s Seven Layer Dip

Dip-a-dee-do-dah! One of the all-time nibble favorites is Frito’s Seven Layer Dip. You start by spreading Frito’s Bean Dip on a round plate. The layers include avocado, cheese, tomatoes, sour cream and taco mix. Serve it with your favorite chips or vegetable chunks.

Rock the Guac

This creamy, healthy avocado dip will make you feel better for having indulged in the other bowl game foods.

 A Super Bowl of Chili

Keep a pot of chili on the stove or in a Crock Pot and let guests help themselves. Cornbread muffins will be appreciated.

Roasted Cauliflower

Maxine, the crotchety older woman on Hallmark greeting cards, declared: “Anyone who brings vegetables to my Super Bowl party will be penalized for ‘unnecessary roughage.'”

But these bits of Roasted Cauliflower served with Sriracha-Yogurt Sauce would change her mind.

They’re best served warm, straight from the oven. Believe me, they won’t last long!

A Bit of Sweetness

Make-ahead cookies and bars are easy to serve. Go with the favorites: Chocolate Chip Cookies, Snickerdoodles, Brownies. This is a good time to get rid of those leftover Christmas cookies languishing in the freezer.

For a fun treat, order M&Ms with your team logo on the candy.

Go Chiefs!

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